The Board of Trustees of Southern Oregon University, an independent public body, is the governing body of SOU and has up to 17 members. The president of the university is an ex officio, nonvoting member of the board. The president is appointed to his/her position by the governing board, in consultation with the state governor. The Governor of the State of Oregon appoints the remaining 12 to 16 members, subject to confirmation by the Oregon Senate. The composition of the board and its members’ voting privileges are prescribed in law. Trustees may serve up to two, full, consecutive terms.
| Member Type | Voting Privileges | Number of Positions | Term |
| Undergraduate Student | Voting Member | 1 | 2 years |
| Undergraduate Student | Nonvoting Member (for first year of term) | 1 | 2 years |
| Faculty | Voting Member | 1 | 2 years |
| Non-faculty Staff | Voting Member | 1 | 2 years |
| At-Large/Community | Voting Member | 12-16 | 4 years |
| University President | Nonvoting Member | 1 | Ex officio |
The day-to-day management and operation of the university is delegated to the university president, the university’s curriculum is delegated to the faculty, and there are certain responsibilities that only the board can fulfill. Three such examples are: 1) determining the employment of the president, which is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Trustees; 2) determining undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees; and 3) approving new academic programs. For itself, the board also retains certain authorities, including but not limited to approvals of the university budget, approvals of certain contracts and financial instruments over $500,000, the naming of buildings and outdoor spaces, and many others.
The Board of Trustees of Southern Oregon University upholds the following principal responsibilities:
- Approves a mission for the university and ensures that the university is operating in furtherance of its stated purpose(s).
- Oversees strategic planning and approves the strategic priorities of the university, including capital project priorities. The board also monitors the achievement of these university priorities and goals.
- Determines the employment of the university president and ensures a strong board-president partnership, including conducting annual performance evaluations.
- Delegates appropriate authority to the university president and others, including the faculty.
- Approves new academic programs of the university.
- Annually, determines and authorizes the collection of tuition and fees for the university.
- Annually, adopts a budget to ensure the financial integrity of the university and oversee its financial performance.
- Advocates for the university and the advancement of higher education.
- Maintains a commitment to the values of the university.
- Conducts regular evaluations of the Board of Trustees to assess the effectiveness of the board.
- Complies with the law and board policies, and the spirit of the law and board policies, especially with those pertaining to transparency, ethics, and conflicts of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the board do?
Established by legislation effective July 1, 2015, the board has broad authority to supervise and manage the affairs of the university and may exercise and carry out all of the powers, rights, and privileges that are expressly conferred upon the university, or that are implied by law, or are incidental to such powers, rights, and duties. However, the board does not “work” at SOU.
The day-to-day management and operation of the university is delegated to the university president, the university’s curriculum is delegated to the faculty, and there are certain responsibilities that only the board can fulfill. Three such examples are 1) determining the employment of the president, which is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Trustees; 2) determining undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees; and 3) approving new academic programs. For itself, the board also retains certain authorities, including but not limited to approvals of the university budget, approvals of certain contracts and financial instruments over $500,000, the naming of buildings and outdoor spaces, and many others.
How often does the board meet?
The board meets four times during the academic year, usually on the third Friday in October, January, April, and June, with a retreat in September. The board also has three standing committees: Academic and Student Affairs; Finance and Administration; and Executive, Audit and Governance. Trustees typically serve on one or more committees, which meet as frequently or more frequently than the board. The board’s meeting schedule is perpetually set two years in advance and is available on the web.
How do trustees engage with the campus?
From time to time, additional opportunities for board service arise, such as assisting on a short-term work group, which may include staff and faculty; advocating with legislators or community members on behalf of SOU; or attending campus events to support students, staff, and faculty. This may require significant additional commitments of time; so trustees are encouraged to engage as their personal and professional schedules permit.
Are trustees paid for their service on the board?
No. Trustees are volunteers and shall not receive a salary for their service. While there are members of the board who are employees of the institution, when acting in their trustee capacity, they act as fiduciaries to the university and are volunteers. Trustees may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred through the discharge of official trustee duties, as service on the board should not come at a cost to trustees. Reimbursements are subject to SOU policy.
How are trustees selected?
When a vacancy on the governing board is expected, the board assists the Governor in fulfilling the at-large positions on the Board in accordance with Oregon Law and the Board Statement on Recommending Candidates for At-Large Positions.
The Board of Trustees invites members of the public university community to submit recommendations about the ideal characteristics of any individual chosen to fill a vacancy on the SOU board. Members of the Southern Oregon University community can fill out this form to provide their input.
When the board notifies the Governor that there will be a vacancy on the board, the board will communicate the ideal characteristics identified through this outreach and other assessments.
Participation and Feedback of the University Community
The Board of Trustees of Southern Oregon University values the participation and feedback of the university community and has created several ways for individuals to communicate with the board directly, or indirectly through campus governance or labor organizations. Some of these include:
- Members of the university community and the public are welcome to attend the public meetings of the Board of Trustees or its committees. Attendance in-person or remotely is welcome;
- At each regular meeting of the board and of its committees, a public comment period is held at the start of the meeting. To sign up for public comment, email trustees@sou.edu;
- Student, faculty, and staff governance AND campus labor organizations have standing placeholders on the board’s agenda for reports or invited public comments;
- At the end of each academic year, the board conducts a “temperature check” of the campus with the leaders of the student, faculty, and staff governance; campus labor organizations; and various others;
- The board provides an opportunity for the university community to provide written input OR public testimony evaluating the work of the board;
- Any member of the campus community may email the board at any time at trustees@sou.edu; and
- Member of the campus community may stop by the board office in Churchill 107 to speak with the board secretary or to hand-deliver written information for the board.
Contact
SOU Board of Trustees
trustees@sou.edu
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.8055